Dr. Sabrina Sullenberger, Professor of Social Work, answers questions about her recent research project entitled, Pedagogical Service User Model.

What is your research topic? Why did you choose it?
Broadening pedagogy work begun last year with Dr. Joe Duffy from Queen’s University Belfast. Service user (client) focus groups were brought in to determine how (if) sharing their experiences with students and engaging in the pedagogy of social work could shape the client’s understanding of themselves as teacher, leader, and service recipient.

What are some of your most interesting results?
At present, we have only initial results from last spring. Covid-19 has postponed focus groups and service users in spring classes.

What is the importance/application of your research?
This pedagogical practice models collaboration, practice skills, listening to the experiences of clients, and elevates clients into teachers and experts in a way that traditional guest speakers do not.

Where have you presented your research?
We will present at the Annual Program Meeting of the Council on Social Work Education in November 2020 and hope CSWE will be interested in developing this into a practice guide as well.